The Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO) and the Student Equity Centre (SEC) is pleased to present Consent Week 2026, taking place from September 21st to September 25th.
Consent Week is an opportunity for Laurentian community members to engage in conversations focused on consent, healthy relationships and sexual violence response and prevention.
Community members can support and participate in our events by following the scheduled events below.
Please do not hesitate to email the EDHRO with any questions you may have.
Consent Week Event Schedule
Monday, September, 21
Consent Awareness Week Services Fair
- 10 am – 3:00 pm
- Parker Atrium
Join us as we launch Consent Awareness Week with a Service Fair
highlighting the many support services available to students both on and
off campus. Internal and external partners will host booths to share
resources, build connections, and raise awareness about the services that
promote safety, wellbeing, and community care.
Tuesday, September 22
We Believe You Day
- 12:00pm - 4:00pm
- Parker Atrium
Join the Peers in honouring #WeBelieveYou day. This important day is dedicated to
raising awareness of sexual and gender-based violence and to show support to
individuals with lived experiences. Drop by the Parker Atrium on September 22nd from
12pm-4pm to learn more about the supports and resources available on campus, make
some buttons and come together in solidarity.
Wednesday, September 23
White Ribbon: Draw the Line Workshop (English Only)
- 12:00pm - 1:30pm
- Virtual: Zoom
The Draw the Line workshop equips students with the knowledge and tools to prevent
sexual violence, challenge harmful gender norms, and promote a culture of consent and
active bystander intervention. Participants will gain practical skills and insights to help
build a more respectful and inclusive community. This workshop will be offered in
English.
Upstander
- French 10am - 11:30am, Executive Learning Centre FA-386 / Zoom
- English 2:30pm - 4:00pm, Executive Learning Centre FA-386 / Zoom
- RSVP
This workshop equips participants with the skills and confidence to safely intervene in
situations involving harm while fostering a culture of respect, consent, and
accountability at Laurentian. Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios,
participants explore sexual violence and campus culture, consent and healthy
communication, upstander intervention strategies, and ways to support survivors.
Thursday, September 24
FRIES For Consent
- 11:00am - 1:00pm
- Parker Atrium
Stop by our FRIES for Consent booth during Consent Awareness Week!
Enjoy free fries while learning about what real, respectful consent looks
like through the FRIES model. Grab a snack, some resources, and join the
conversation, one fry at a time.
Friday, September 25
Take Back The Night Campus March
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- March Kick-Off: Parker Atrium/Founders Square at 7pm
- Total Distance = ~3.8km
- Total Time = ~60 mins
Take Back the Night is a global movement dedicated to ending sexual and
gender-based violence. Join us for our first Campus March and help us raise
awareness, stand in solidarity with survivors, and champion a campus culture
built on respect, accountability, and consent.
Accessibility Note: This outdoor route includes steep inclines (particularly near
Lot B/Thorneloe and Lot 15) and paved service roads shared with campus traffic.
We are committed to making our campus events welcoming for everyone! If you
have accessibility concerns, mobility requirements, or need accommodations to
participate, please contact Isabella Izumi at iizumi@laurentian.ca.
More Information
What is Consent?
Consent refers to an active, direct, voluntary, and conscious choice and agreement to engage in any sexual activity by a person capable of consenting. Consent can be revoked at any time and cannot be assumed nor implied. These elements of consent must be emphasized. It is not acceptable for a person who is said to have engaged in sexual violence to use their own consumption of alcohol or drugs as an excuse for their mistaken belief that there was consent.
For further clarity, consent:
- Cannot be given by silence or the absence of a “no”;
- Cannot be given by an individual who is incapable of consenting due to intoxication by alcohol or drugs;
- Cannot be obtained through threats or coercion;
- Cannot be given if the person who is said to have engaged in sexual violence has abused a position of trust, power or authority; and
- Might not be given properly if an individual has a disability that limits them or their verbal or physical means of interaction. In these instances, it has to be determined how consent will be established.
What is Sexual Violence?
"Sexual violence" means any act of a sexual nature or directed at a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened, or attempted against a person without that person’s consent, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism and sexual exploitation.
Consent is Simple! Let’s work together at creating a safe campus for all!
How to Respond to Disclosures of Sexual Violence
Online training for Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence on University and College Campuses is available.
This training is designed to support all employees of universities and colleges in Ontario to respond supportively and effectively to disclosures of sexual violence.
Please note that this training is not yet available in French as it is currently in the process of
being translated. However, there are online materials available in French through L’Institut de formation en matière de violence faite aux femmes.
For in person sessions in French on the subject of disclosures, contact the EDHRO at: edhr@laurentian.ca